When the folks at Harbor Drive begin laying the groundwork for Summerfest each year, they know there are two hugely important variables beyond their control:
The calendar and the weather.
So far this year, neither has been kind to the Big Gig.
Say what you want about the music lineup this year, the fact that July 4 falls on a Wednesday has to be a drain. Think about it -- when the Fourth falls on Tuesday, a lot of people take Monday off, which ostensibly boosts attendance for the festival on Sunday night. If July 4 falls on a Friday, a lot of folks would take off Thursday and make it a four-day weekend. That would seem to help the gate on Wednesday night.
With Independence Day smack in the middle of a work week, a lot of people could be compelled to work the days before and after the holiday. What you have, as a result, is an abundance of "school nights" during what should be prime time for the festival.
The weather hasn't been great, either. Daytime temperatures in the 60s don't exactly scream "SUMMERFEST" to the masses. In the first four days of the festival, sunburns have been replaced by windburns. At night, the time-honored Milwaukee phrase "cooler near the lake" has become a cruel joke. It's not just cool near the lake. It's downright chilly.
A stroll around the grounds Sunday night revealed a lot of people gripping beers with chilly fingers and trying to have a good time. There also seemed to be a lot of people dressed inappropriately for the elements. One young lady walked through the South Gate just before 7 p.m. and headed toward the Marcus Amphitheater wearing a sheer blouse, an ultra-short mini-skirt and strappy, high-heeled shoes.
"Hope she doesn't have lawn seats," one of my companions said. "She might break an ankle."
Despite the chill, people seemed to be having a good time and enjoying the fact that the crowd was manageable and there were short lines for beer, food and restrooms.
With temperatures expected to rise this week and the holiday coming, there is a good chance that Summerfest 2007 will shake off it's sluggish, chilly start with a strong rally.
So far, though, the big winners seem to be the stands that sell coffee and the fellas from Express Promotions who sell warm clothes.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
